Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler says Saturday’s opponents Manchester City are still the best team in the world despite their recent run of form.
Pep Guardiola’s side have lost their last three games – to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, Bournemouth in the Premier League and Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.
It is just the fourth time Guardiola has suffered three straight losses in his managerial career.
“Against every team there are opportunities. Especially this season, the league is so equal. It’s very, very competitive,” said Hurzeler, whose own side have also gone three games without a win.
“Everyone can beat everyone and we see it every weekend. That’s why we always see an opportunity. We always see a chance.
“Of course, we have a lot of respect. City is, for me, still the best team in the world, they have the best manager in the world.
We're back at home this weekend! 🙌🔜 pic.twitter.com/JXnhiMZ4VF
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) November 7, 2024
“But in the end it’s a game and we play at home and we want to continue our process and we see this as a next opportunity to challenge the establishment.”
Erling Haaland has failed to score in his last two starts and missed a number of good chances against Sporting in particular, but Hurzeler remains wary of the Norwegian.
“It’s difficult to defend him in one-against-one situations, it’s always like a togetherness of defending against him,” Hurzeler added.
“Don’t let him go one against one, don’t let him be one against one, especially in the box defending. He’s an unbelievable striker. He’s a goal machine.
“Every striker has bad periods and bad phases. Every striker gets judged by the goals. He’s still one of the best strikers in the league and in the world.
“We shouldn’t focus on the bad period for him, we should focus on defending him together.”
Hurzeler said Joao Pedro and Matt O’Riley have “a big chance” of returning from injury to feature against City, with Lewis Dunk and Yankuba Minteh needing to be assessed closer to kick-off.
Yasin Ayari suffered a knock in the defeat to Liverpool at Anfield but trained on Thursday, while Solly March remains sidelined.
